Design Your Dream Day at the Row DTLA

Across the country we’re seeing new life breathed into industrial complexes, as independent vendors, art, chefs, and creative collective endeavors give a second chance to spaces that have lain dormant for decades. The Row DTLA, a reclaimed swath of buildings inside the historic warehouse district that’s housed the 7th Street Produce Market since 1901, is the latest in the national mixed-use space craze. With 30 acres of buildings and gardens geared toward fashion and design aficionados, foodies, and influencers, the Row is a very L.A. take on this reinvention of major chain mall culture that has given Angelenos (and visitors) somewhere to—gasp!—actually walk around.

The paint is still drying on the walls of the shops and restaurants as you read this—that’s how new the whole thing is—and it has become quite the destination for constant discovery. Read on for the best of the Row DTLA, which is going to seem like a lot, but we promise it’s only a fraction of what’s to be found in this revitalized wonderland.

DO

Photo courtesy of Poketo/Facebook

The Row is a design haven, so you’re going to want to shop there. Check out A+R, the showroom for the internationally lauded, world-class design shop; Kinto,the only outpost outside of Tokyo for the cult-favorite Japanese tableware; curated lifestyle shop Poketo; and superstylish Japanese stationery store and workshop space Hightide.

For edgy, emerging, and young designer fashion, update your wardrobe with something from the highbrow-meets-lowbrow LCD. Since the Row champions L.A.’s creative community, with more than a million square feet in studios and workspace on the premises, you’ll also find ladylike flagships from local designers Erica Tanov and Diana Ra (note that her shop is called dRA), as well as an outpost from Venice luxury eyewear designer Ahlem.

For the kids, hit up the sophisticated yet effortlessly stylish Omamimini and the DTLA outpost of the happy-go-lucky Yolk, which has Scandinavian-inspired retail fun that will keep young ones and adults happy and engaged for quite a while.

And if you’re looking to do some gourmet shopping, your best bets are ultracurated beverage boutique Flask and Field, where you might also find a tasting if you’re lucky, and Dandelion Chocolate—keep an eye out for its tasting workshops; they’re phenomenal.

Photo courtesy of Dandelion Chocolate/Facebook

Since this is Los Angeles, of course there’s plenty of wellness to be cultivated here. Head to Coreology for a Pilates-inspired, high-intensity, slow-resistance training class (and then immediately find your way afterward to one of the amazing restaurants mentioned below), or book a series of body and life alignment sessions at the very particular Bartholomew Method. And if you really want something special, get yourself to The Things We Do, an East-meets-West self-care bar and club, with head-to-toe treatments that are half med spa, half spiritual wellness center, all conducted within a lavish haze of postmodern desert-palette decor.

Plus, there are classes, special events, and pop-ups galore—including a regular flower truck!—though favorite standbys include crafters’ haven Makers Mess and refined pottery classes at Still Life Ceramics.

DRINK

Photo courtesy of Go Get Em Tiger/Facebook

Ambitious day-to-night coffee and tea shop project Paramount Coffee, a Sydney import, is a great, airy place to slow down for a moment. Go Get Em Tiger is in every hip corner of Eastside L.A. and now there’s one here; it features a lovely outdoor seating area for you to enjoy your fizzy hoppy tea or almond macadamia latte. Though if you’re looking for something of the adult variety, head to any of the restaurants mentioned below.

Eat

Photo courtesy of the Manufactory L.A./Facebook

San Francisco’s legendary, beautiful carb empire Tartine has brought its multifunction Manufactory concept to the Row. It’s a lot of things, and lovely ones at that: a coffee window featuring its James Beard–winning pastries and breads, plus a daily selection of soft serve; an all-day restaurant called Tartine Bianco; and an upscale dinner joint, Alameda Supper Club, upstairs.

Wait, there’s more! If it’s Sunday, there’s always Smorgasburg, a weekly feeding frenzy where the motto should be: If you think it looks good on Instagram, you’ll find it here. Chef Kunkio Yagi’s mashup of Japanese kaarage chicken with California influences is the star at Pikunico, the kind of place where you can sit for an indoor picnic or take anything to go. And if you’re craving bivalves or burgers, Rappahannock Oyster Bar puts a West Coast spin on its East Coast heritage. Sit on the epic patio and watch the Row’s stylish tide ebb and flow.